Why Alex Claudio, despite his success, has not been named the Rangers' closer

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Texas Rangers relief pitcher Alex Claudio (58) pitches in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians on opening day at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas on Monday, April 3, 2017. The Texas Rangers lost against the Cleveland Indians 5-8. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News)

BALTIMORE - One thing keeps Rangers manager Jeff Banister from labeling plucky Alex Claudio his against-the-odds closer for the time being: He also needs Claudio in other roles.

At the moment, Claudio is the only left-handed reliever in the Rangers' bullpen. Because of that, Banister will deploy Claudio against lefties before the ninth inning, if the situation warrants as much. Claudio, pitching for the third consecutive day Sunday, pitched the eighth inning because Kansas City was sending three left-handed hitters to the plate. Claudio retired all three.

"I really don't want to label Alex or anyone in the bullpen right now," Banister said. "If you are going to use your only left-hander as [a closer], you have got to have [right-handers] who are very efficient at getting left-handed hitters."

The Rangers optioned lefty Dario Alvarez back to the minors on July 3. He had allowed lefties a .389 OBP and .782 OPS. In right-handers Jose Leclerc and Tony Barnette, the Rangers have two options who have performed better against lefties. Leclerc has allowed a .318 OBP and .754 OPS; Barnette .341 and .774.

While both Leclerc and Barnette have better numbers against lefties than Alvarez, the numbers are not outstanding. In 2014-15, Shawn Tolleson became a valuable member of the Rangers' bullpen because he was a right-hander who could also be effective against lefties, holding them to a .287 OBP and .678 OPS.

They are also monitoring the trade market with left-handed relief being among the assets most coveted. But left-handed relief is always a coveted commodity at the trade deadline. San Diego's Brad Hand and Detroit's Justin Wilson are two of the more attractive - and controllable - lefties potentially available. The Rangers had a scout at the Kansas City-Detroit game on Monday.